Skip to main content
Local News

The Snake River Ferry

BYU-Idaho Radio · An Interview with the Owner of Snake River Ferry


As of this Saturday, Idaho Falls has a new way to get outside and enjoy the summer sun.

Snake River Ferry, founded by Candace and Richard Sekyere, takes small groups of people out on the Snake River to see things like the waterfalls and the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Sekyere’s, who are self-employed property managers, decided to start up the ferry after taking a trip to Staten Island, New York.

“We took the Staten Island Ferry across [the river]…and thought, ‘This is a fun little ride,’ Sekyere said. “We thought about our own river here in Idaho Falls… [and] we wanted to give people a chance to be out on the water.”

After buying the pontoon boat, they even hired a licensed boat captain for the tours.

The ferry ride takes people on one route on the Snake River, and with the way the boat is built, passengers can get on the boat right from the grass adjacent to the river.

The ferry will follow all Idaho boat safety laws, like having all passengers under 14 wear a lifejacket and all other passengers keeping a lifejacket close by.

With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, Candace Sekyere said they have kept all health and safety guidelines in consideration. With the size of the pontoon boat, passengers can keep themselves at a good distance while riding the ferry.

“[The layout of the boat] automatically allows for a good amount of distance between everybody,” Sekyere said.

Sekyere also said they won’t require passengers to wear facemasks.

The grand opening for the ferry is this Saturday, May 30. The grand opening coincides with Governor Brad Little’s 4-phase plan to reopen the state. May 30 could begin phase 3, which is still tentative at this point.

You can find more information about the ferry by visiting their Facebook page.